Blake Lively First Choice For Oliver Stone's 'Savages,' But Also Eyeing 'Oz The Great And Powerful'

By
Catherine Scott
|
The PlaylistApril 12, 2011 at 2:08AM

Despite Jennifer Lawrence dropping out last month in favor of Gary Ross' tentpole adaptation of "The Hunger Games," Oliver Stone isn't wasting any time recasting her role in his upcoming adaptation of Don Winslow's drug cartel novel "Savages."

Despite Jennifer Lawrence dropping out last month in favor of Gary Ross' tentpole adaptation of "The Hunger Games," Oliver Stone isn't wasting any time recasting her role in his upcoming adaptation of Don Winslow's drug cartel novel "Savages."

Variety reports that Stone wants Blake Lively to play Ophelia, the kidnapped girlfriend of two beach bum drug dealers who is held ransom. The announcement has come after reports last month that actresses like Olivia Wilde, Teresa Palmer and Abbie Cornish were reading for the role. Actors Aaron Johnson ("Kick-Ass") and Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights") are lined up for the two lead male roles, with Benicio del Toro taking on the role of a cartel enforcer.

Lively looks to have quite a career after breaking into the business with tween fare like "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and its sequel, as well as her current lead role on the insipid CW drama "Gossip Girl." She's in the middle of filming "Hick," a Southern drama in which she'll play a hard-ass grifter who takes in a wayward young girl. However, "Savages" is not a done deal yet with the trade also reporting that the actress is considering for the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Sam Raimi's upcoming "Oz: The Great and Powerful" with James Franco and Mila Kunis. Whatever she decides, her star is seriously rising as a serious actress.